Alexander Yakovenko, the Official Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Question from ITAR-TASS,
Interfax and RIA Novosti News Agencies Concerning Reports of Russian Citizens Leaving Iraq
Question: In view of the aggravation of the situation around Iraq staff members of the diplomatic missions there are
evacuating that country. Media are also reporting that Russian citizens working there and members of their families are
leaving Iraq as well. What could you say in this connection?
Answer: Indeed, there goes the reduction of the colony of Russian citizens in Iraq numbers. Members of the families of
the Russian specialists have already left, and at present measures are being taken to organize the departure from Iraq
of an additional number of our citizens. It is borne in mind to carry this out by planes of Russian airlines. As to the
Russian embassy in Baghdad, it continues to work as usual.